Janey watched as Adam got Nicky out of his child seat and lifted him to his shoulders; Nicky squealed with excitement and Janey had to laugh along with her son.
"Come on, let's go line up for a train ride." Adam said as he fell into step beside Janey.
Janey glanced around uneasily; she had never been here before and wanted to be sure of exactly where the car was parked before she moved too far.
Her parents or siblings understood that she had trouble in public and they supported her efforts to get out and about. They took the time to go places with her and had seemingly endless patience when she needed to get her bearings or scrape up the courage to face crowds.
They knew she was capable of watching for trouble by herself and let her take her time to ensure her own safety. They also understood that now she not only herself to worry about but Nicky as well.
Adam noticed Janey glance around nervously. He moved closer to reach out and squeeze her hand gently. He looked around to see if there was anything that might upset her.
"I'm right here with you, you'll be okay." Adam said softly.
'What has Adam seen?' Janey wondered nervously, 'someone or something he doesn't like?'
When they reached the place where other families were lining up for tickets to ride on the miniature train Adam eased Nicky off his shoulders and held the boy in his arms as Nicky wriggled and pointed at the train excitedly.
"Twain! Twain!" Nicky exclaimed and turned wide eyes on his mother.
"We going on the train are we Nicky?" Janey asked nervously as she glanced around at the strangers nearby.
Adam didn't miss how Janey looked around nervously and glanced around himself to make sure all was clear.
"I'm right here Darlin'," Adam said softly and Janey shot him a nervous smile.
Had he seen something she had missed?
The press of the people seemed to intensify and then Adam was buying tickets and they were climbing onto the train. Janey sat in a corner and looked around apprehensively; she caught Adam looking around as well and her tension increased.
The morning passed in a blur of nervous activities for Janey. She was aware of Nicky having fun and Adam by her side but soon her head ached with the strain of being ever vigilant.
At lunchtime Adam bought the makings for sandwiches and the three of them returned to the cabin. After eating Nicky fell asleep and after placing him in the cot Adam and Janey lay down for a rest. Just laying on the bed in Adam's arms was soothing and Janey fell asleep not long after her son.
"Hey Sweetheart, time to wake up," Adam coaxed softly.
Janey frowned as she forced her eyes open; after three sessions of sex over night she was tired from lack of sleep.
"What?" Janey asked disgruntled.
"We have to get up so we can check out and I can get to the airport in time to book in for my flight," Adam told her softly before leaning close to kiss her lightly on the lips.
Still half asleep Janey sighed softly and kissed him back, opening her mouth to his seeking tongue and moaning softly as he deepened the kiss hungrily.
"Damn catching the plane!" Adam said tightly as he rolled away from her.
Janey lay on her back staring up at the ceiling breathing harshly. Her body had come to life quickly and she felt the strong stirrings of desire.
"We'd better get up," Adam said as he swung his legs over the side of the bed and got to his feet, he paused to look down at Janey for a few moments and was smiling when she glanced his way.
"What?" Janey asked curiously.
"Maybe we'll have some good luck after this little break away," Adam said hopefully.
It took a moment for Janey to realise he was talking about their attempts to fall pregnant with a playmate for Nicky; she looked away as a tide of red rose hotly up her neck and into her cheeks. She heard Adam laugh softly as he headed for the shower and she sat up and looked around the room to see what she had yet to pack so they could leave.
She really needed to have a serious talk with Adam; she knew she should have talked with him about how she felt immediately but it never seemed like the right time.
Like now, she knew she should tell him she'd recently begun to have her doubts that now was the right time for another child, but with him about to leave for a week or two the timing was wrong.
Half an hour later Janey sat in the car with Nicky while Adam went into the office to hand in the keys for the cabin; she kept a wary eye out for any movement nearby even though the day was peaceful and not many people seemed to be out and about at that time.
When Adam returned to the car he climbed into the driver's seat and started the car; with a quick glance around he pulled away from the office and headed for the road towards the airport.
It was only a short drive and it didn't take long before he was parking the car in the car park of the airport and turning the engine off.
Adam hesitated as he turned in the seat and looked at Janey; she was watching the activity at the airport building out the window. He frowned worriedly; he knew she wanted to show Nicky the plane but he himself didn't feel up to babysitting her through the nerves she would have with the numerous people present.
"I'll just take my bags and head into the airport and you can head for home now," Adam said firmly.
"I want to let Nicky see the plane," Janey protested softly as she stared at the building.
"I don't want you stressing out when you have to drive home Sweetheart. It's best if we say goodbye here and I let you leave; I have enough on my mind without worrying that you'll get home safely." Adam told her firmly.
Janey turned her face towards him and Adam smiled at her charmingly.
"So are you going to tell me exactly why you have to go to Sydney? Other than it's just some work problem?" Janey asked evenly. She had tried to talk to Adam the previous night about why he had to go to Sydney but all he would say was the visit was to straighten out about a problem at work.
"It's nothing to worry about," Adam said soothingly.
Janey looked away from him; the way he avoided giving her a direct answer made her inclined to believe there was some kind of problem that involved him.
Was he working on another case like the one she had been involved in when he had met her?
Janey got out of the car and moved around to the driver's side while Adam got his luggage from the boot; he walked up to stand beside her and put the bags down before turning and taking her in his arms.
"I'll miss you while I'm away," Adam said before kissing her.
His lips were firm as they moved over hers and she felt his tongue push against her teeth as he sought. Janey opened her mouth and Adam thrust his tongue into her mouth almost aggressively as he kissed her thoroughly.
Janey was gasping for breath when he finally raised his head; she opened her eyes dazedly and looked up into his face.
"Love you," Adam said before turning to wave at Nicky through the window; inside the car Nicky waved excitedly and kicked his legs.
"I..." Janey said faintly.
"Yeah?" Adam encouraged when she remained silent for a few moments.
"I love you too," Janey said and looked away hurriedly before glancing at him nervously.
Adam leaned close and kissed her gently on the lips before picking up his bags and heading for the building; he stopped and turned when he reached the doors to look back at Janey. She had the car door open but was watching him as she stood there; he waved then turned and walked into the building.
* * * * *
Janey patted Nicky's back as she paced the room with him; he lay against her shoulder with his face turned in towards her neck. Every now and then he would give a slight whimper as he rubbed at his eyes with his clenched fist.
"How is he?" Marina asked quietly as she peeked into the room.
"Still refusing to go to sleep. His gums are bothering him again," Janey said as she paused in her pacing.
Nicky fidgeted against her shoulder and whimpered fretfully making Janey begin moving once again.
"Want to lay down with him for a while? You look like you could do with some sleep as well," Marina said softly.
Nicky had been fretful and had woken several times through the previous night disturbing Janey; with two nights of little sleep there were dark marks beginning to show under her eyes.
"I might just hold him until I'm ready to head over to Brad's for his Birthday party," Janey said quietly.
"You could let me hold him so you can have a bit of a break, maybe a cup of tea or coffee before you head off," Marina said quietly.
"A cold drink actually sounds good," Janey said with a relieved glance at her mother.
"Well let's take Master grumble out to the kitchen so you can have that drink," Marina said.
Janey followed her mother into the kitchen and thankfully let her take Nicky; Nicky whimpered unhappily for a moment before settling against his Grandmother's shoulder.
"You'll feel much better once that nasty tooth comes through," Marina said gently. Nicky snuggled into his Grandmothers arms and stuck his thumb in his mouth.
Janey got herself a can of coke and drank deeply; she almost groaned as she thought of the evening ahead. Nicky was bound to be unsettled because of teething and with the drive back home she would certainly be exhausted.
"You've packed enough changes for Nicky? Just in case?" Marina asked.
"Yeah, nearly enough for three days. If he starts dribbling again he'll need them." Janey said as she looked at her son.
"You packed the present for his father?" Jim asked as he walked into the kitchen.
"Yes Dad, and his name is Brad." Janey said with a frown.
Jim reframed from making any further remark as his daughter regarded him in annoyance.
"I was thinking that for Nicky's first birthday, I could have a party here and invite Brad and his friends." Janey said turning away from her father.
"I don't know why you insist on letting that criminal have anything to do with Nicky," Jim said tightly.
"Because Dad, Brad happens to be a very decent man and Nicky deserves to know his father," Janey said as she put her now empty soda can in the bin.
